Category Archives: Security and safety

If you’re concerned about the security of your office or warehouse facility, you should be. Thieves consider office buildings prime targets due to their relative ease of access, despite security systems and industrial grade locks. With so many people coming and going on a daily basis, a skilled thief could easily get access to the building during operating hours and prepare for a theft once everyone leaves for the night. Fortunately, a few quick and easy changes to your office could make a big difference in your building’s security and help ward off would-be intruders.

1. Limit Access Points

Buildings with multiple entrances make it much harder to identify intruders, as the means of access are varied. With only one or two entry points, it makes any security measures you implement much more effective, as every person who enters the building must pass by a camera or physical guard. This also allows you to fortify these entrances with higher-grade doors and reinforced glass.

2. Label and Register Office Equipment

Many police departments will take down serial numbers on electronics, including computers and televisions. Take a look around your office: what would you steal if you were looking for valuable items? Labelling electronics with your company’s logo and contact information as well as registering their serial numbers with police will help the recovery process if stolen. Thieves are also less likely to take equipment that’s been labelled, as they’re more difficult to sell in secondary markets like pawn shops.

3. Ensure Your Perimeter and Parking Areas Are Well-Lit

The more likely it is that someone will spot an intruder trying to access your building, the less likely it is that one will try. Thieves look for weak points and areas of easy access when scouting a potential target and darkened doorways or burned-out light bulbs are prime targets for forced entry. Keeping outdoor areas well-lit and monitored will help deter the skilled thief.

4. Use a Sophisticated Key System

Master key systems are nothing new, but they’re the best way to distribute and control access to different areas of your office. A professional locksmith company can devise a system composed of servant keys, maintenance keys, sub-master and master keys as well as a principal (or grand master) key. This makes things easy for owners and building administrators and allows them to limit access to certain areas.

5. Replace Your Locks

Your building should only use Grade 1 locking mechanisms because of their resistance to physical attacks, fire, and forced manipulation. These locks contain no plastic parts and boast the highest levels of fit, finish, and operation. These also tend to offer certain features to ward off sophisticated lock picking systems and drills, but tend to be much more expensive than the more common Grade 2 locks.

If you’re concerned about the integrity of your facility, contact Hawk Locksmith. Our experienced security experts can assess your building’s security standards and detect any weaknesses, making the necessary changes to prevent an unwanted intrusion. Give us a call at 206-725-1200 or use the contact form to get in touch.

Your home is more than your most valued asset – it’s the psychological safe haven for you and your family. When an intrusion or break-in occurs, that illusion of security is shattered and often irreparable. There are several methods to increasing your home’s security and while these have been covered extensively, it’s wise to consider a home security analysis from a professional locksmith and safety specialist. Here are 10 factors to test the security of your home:

1. Check Your Locks

Not all locks are made the same. There are three basic grades for locks: Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3. Grade 3 locks are among the most common and only provide minimal security precautions, whereas Grade 1 locks, while more expensive, offer sophisticated protection against manipulation and door strikes. If you’re unsure of the quality of your lock, find the make and model information on the casing and search for the manufacturer. Upgrading your locks to higher grades will demonstrate to the sophisticated thief that you’re serious about home security and ward off any amateurs expecting a flimsy lock.

2. Where are the Spares?

Placing your spare key under the doormat or nearby potted plant is basically an invitation to home invaders. Instead, secure your spare key in a combination lockbox secured to a metal bar or fixture near your home. This keeps your spare key within easy access to homeowners and prevent burglars from stumbling across your spare key.

3. Reinforced Windows and Sliding Doors

If you’ve got sliding doors and windows in your home, you’re at higher risk for a break-in. Locks for sliding doors and windows are notoriously easy to crack, but sometimes the simplest remedies are the best ones. A solid metal bar or wooden dowel placed in the window’s or door’s runner will keep a physical barrier between your home and the thief, even if they do manage to force open your lock.

4. Check the Perimeter

Thieves love untrimmed hedges and tall fences for exactly the same reason you do: neighbors’ views of your home are obscured. If you do have tall fences and thick hedges or shrubs around your property, consider installing some perimeter lighting as a compromise. Both you and your neighbors will have a better chance of spotting would-be intruders before they can enter your property.

5. Burglar-Proof Your Home

Home security alarms only go so far. While these are a great deterrent to an unskilled thief, experts will be able to trick your alarm with a little time and patience. Don’t give it to them. Make your home a tough enough nut to crack and a patient thief will move onto the next target. By staying vigilant and making a few smart decisions before leaving your home for an extended period of time, you can prevent opportunistic thieves from breaking into your home. First, ensure your mail delivery isn’t suspended, but attended to by a neighbor on a daily basis. Your landscaping should be kept up with on a weekly basis, but going the extra mile and lowering your telephone’s ringer volume, installing timed lights and automatic curtain mechanisms, and staying mum on social media until you’ve returned home will keep even the most expert thief guessing.

6. Test Your Door

Your front door should be the sturdiest door in your home, but burglars also look for weak entry points. A mail slot or Grade 3 lock are prizes for experienced thieves, as the structural integrity of the door is compromised with a mail slot and Grade 3 locks can be broken with a swift kick to the strike plate. If your door or door frame isn’t up to snuff, it’s time to opt for a reinforced entryway.

7. Rethink Your Security System

While there are dozens of companies offering home security solutions, knowing a few security essentials will help you choose which provider you’d prefer. An experienced thief will locate your keypad and attempt to visually steal your passcode to make entry easy, so installing your keypad in a concealed location (such as a coat closet or behind a support beam) can be a great precautionary measure. Furthermore, finding a company that offers unified fire and flood protection systems will ensure a cohesive security environment in your home, adding to your overall sense of security.

8. What Are Your Deterrents?

Walk around your home and ask yourself the following question: what would prevent me from breaking into this home? Find your home’s weaknesses before a burglar can and fix them. Weak window panes, lack of security systems, and absent homeowners are all perks in a thief’s eyes, so if your home has any visible shortcomings, it’s time to upgrade. Reinforce your doors, windows, and locks to show a would-be intruder that you’re serious about your home’s security.

9. Only Use a Trusted Locksmith

As with any professional service, it’s critical that you select a locksmith with integrity and experience, but also one that’s licensed and bonded. Whether you require 24/7 emergency service or a comprehensive home security analysis, Hawk Locksmith has the professional technicians and state-of-the-art tools and equipment you need to keep your home and your family safe from harm.

To schedule a re-key, security assessment, or lock replacement, contact Hawk Locksmith by using the contact form or calling our Seattle office at 206-725-1200 today!

According to the Seattle Police Department, the total number of burglaries reported in 2013 rose 12% from the previous year and robberies rose 11% from 2012. With the increasing criminal activity citywide, security for your home and commercial buildings has never been as important as it is right now.

Hawk Locksmith is dedicated to protecting your building from break-ins, invasions, and unauthorized personnel access. Through our experience in the residential, automotive, and commercial locksmith industries, we can offer guidance as to when re-keying in required.

Lost/Stolen Keys

The feeling of insecurity that comes with a lost or stolen key can be even worse than losing the key itself. For safety, it’s not always a good idea to simply replace lost or stolen keys. Though the chances of the key holder finding and getting access to that specific lock are pretty slim, you’ll sleep better knowing there’s zero chance of that happening with new locks or re-keying.

New Homes/Apartments

If you’ve just moved into a new place and want to ensure the old tenants don’t have access to your personal belongings, getting a re-key or lock replacement is the only way to make sure they don’t have access in the future. We can help you re-key your existing locks or upgrade them to a higher-quality lock system.

Worn or Broken Locks

That fiddly lock isn’t “just like that.” It’s wearing down and the pins aren’t catching like they should. A weak lock is a target to burglars and won’t protect against forced entry as effectively as it should. Rekeying the lock or replacing it with a better quality one is the safe way to go.

Previous Forced Entry

If you’ve recently had a break-in or attempted break-in, it might be a good time to beef up your security and add a more durable security lock. At Hawk Locksmith, we can offer electronic locks, keypad locks, biometric and keyless entry systems to fit all budgets and security needs.

To discuss the security in your home, car, or business, contact Hawk Locksmith for a consultation or to inquire about our replacement and rekeying products and services.

According to the Seattle Police Department, the total number of burglaries reported in 2013 rose 12% from the previous year and robberies rose 11% from 2012. With the increasing criminal activity citywide, security for your home and commercial buildings has never been as important as it is right now.

Hawk Locksmith is dedicated to protecting your building from break-ins, invasions, and unauthorized personnel access. Through our experience in the residential, automotive, and commercial Seattle locksmith industries, we can offer guidance as to when re-keying in required.

Lost/Stolen Key

The feeling of insecurity that comes with a lost or stolen key can be even worse than losing the key itself. For safety, it’s not always a good idea to simply replace lost or stolen keys. Though the chances of the key holder finding and getting access to that specific lock are pretty slim, you’ll sleep better knowing there’s zero chance of that happening with new locks or re-keying.

New Homes/Apartments

If you’ve just moved into a new place and want to ensure the old tenants don’t have access to your personal belongings, getting a re-key or lock replacement is the only way to make sure they don’t have access in the future. We can help you re-key your existing locks or upgrade them to a higher-quality lock system.

Worn or Broken Locks

That fiddly lock isn’t “just like that.” It’s wearing down and the pins aren’t catching like they should. A weak lock is a target to burglars and won’t protect against forced entry as effectively as it should. Rekeying the lock or replacing it with a better quality one is the safe way to go.

Previous Forced Entry

If you’ve recently had a break-in or attempted break-in, it might be a good time to beef up your security and add a more durable security lock. At Hawk Locksmith, we can offer electronic locks, keypad locks, biometric and keyless entry systems to fit all budgets and security needs.

To discuss the security in your home, car, or business, contact Hawk Locksmith for a consultation or to inquire about our replacement and rekeying products and services.

The introduction of the deadbolt in the 1960s dramatically reduced the number of residential burglaries. Today, almost 25 percent of homes have security systems and technological advances like security glass and advanced lock technology have further dissuaded potential burglaries. However, according to the FBI 2010 crime statistics, a burglary occurs in the United States every 14.6 seconds.

At Hawk Locksmith, we have the tools and expertise to assess your security needs and provide a high-tech solution that will help prevent attacks against your home. In addition to our advanced locks, our security experts can recommend a security strategy that best suits your location. Our experience gives us unique insight into modern security in the Seattle area and we have some tips for preventing burglary:

Secure Sliding Windows and Doors

Older sliding doors or windows can be popped right off their frames, even if they’re locked. Adding an extra layer of security with a wooden dowel, metal bar, or other pole will help keep your door secure even if the lock is picked. Additionally, with sliding windows you can use a pole if they slide sideways or placing a nail or two above the window if they slide up to prevent them from being moved more than a few inches. Check your window air conditioning units, too!

Lose the Spare Key

Everyone hides their spare key under the mat or flower pot, so obviously burglars will look for that more often than not. Instead, leave the spare key with a friend or neighbor that lives nearby or use a combination lockbox that contains a spare key.

Prepare before Extended Absences

If you’re going on vacation or leaving your home for extended periods of time, make sure your home is adequately prepared for your leave. Notify the post office to hold your mail (same with the newspaper) so that it doesn’t all pile up, consider installing auto-on/off exterior and interior lights so that your home isn’t dark the whole time, and have your lawn cut or sidewalks shoveled. It all helps create the illusion that someone is monitoring the property.

Consult with an Expert

Our experience can guide your security decisions and identify potential targets for thieves – many you probably wouldn’t consider. Our services include door locks, installations, repairs, replacements, re-keying, and upgrades for any kind of lock. We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured and have extensive knowledge of home, auto, and commercial security. Contact us today to schedule a security consultation or to discuss your security needs!